2017 Schedule

Friday, 3pm

Opening Ceremonies – Cameron

Friday, 4pm

Putting the “Social” in Social Media – Reynolds
Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat: how to promote yourself and engage with fans, make new friends, and build a network. For fans, what do you like to hear and see from people you follow? Let’s help each other connect!Panelists: Gail Z. Martin, Samantha Bryant, Ian J. Malone, Way Stark, Christopher Moore

2016: The Year of Other Realities – Smith
Pokemon Go!, Occulus, Cardboard–2016 has been the year for augmented and virtual reality to take center stage. What possibilites and pitfalls lay ahead? Will we have a holedeck utopia or a cyberpunk hell hole?Panelists: Chris Shrewsbury, Jim McDonald, Justin Achilli, Gretchen McHenry

Friday, 5pm

Intro to Writing the “Other” – Cameron
It can be a tricky to write someone whose experience is wildly different than your own. This is an overview of how to tread sensitive topics with respect and seek advice about avoiding harmful stereotypes, and–more importantly–what to do when you failPanelists: Gail Z. Martin, Samantha Bryant, Suzanne Adair, Ada Milenkovic Brown,

Get Back into Comics – Cameron
Continuity is daunting. Do you want to be reading more comics but don’t know where to start? Get some advice on specific issues to start with and podcasts and web sites to help you branch outPanelists: Jesse Galena, Evan Ransom, Madison Metricula, Jenna Say What, Justin LaPoint

Nerd Culture is Mainstream Culture – Smith
The biggest hit movies feature super heroes and the most popular shows in TV feature dragons and robots. It’s a great time to be a geek, but how did this happen?Panelists: Chris Shrewsbury, Ian J. Malone, Dave Ellis, Richard Butner, James Maxey

Friday, 8pm

What is a “Real Game”? – Smith
What makes a video or digital based game a game? People who spend four or five hours a day playing Candy Crush have more in common with die-hard Halo players than they think!Panelists: Richard Dansky, Dave Ellis, J. L. Hilton, Justin Achilli, John Lapoint

Friday, 10pm

Blurred Realities – Smith
If one of the things that makes horror scary is the warping of our reality, where does urban fantasy fit in? Even without being “scary”, urban fantasy challenges what we perceive as normal in our mundane world. What lurks in the shadows?Panelists: Gail Z. Martin, Daniel José Older, John Hartness, Harli Hanson

Remakes: Good or Bad? – Cameron
A roundup of the best and worst of the ever-popular remake in TV and film. What worked? What should die in a fire?Panelists: Michael Williams, Charlie Rocket, Chris Shrewsbury, Kate Koballa, Dave Ellis

Robot and AI Rights – Cameron
Self driving cars, drones, and sexbots: the lines between science and science fiction are blurring when it comes to AI and machine automation. And have you seen the Boston Dynamics robot dogs? The future is now, y’all.Panelists: Bill Ferris, Christos Archer, James Maxey,

Saturday, 11am

Medium Difficulty – Smith
Our veteran cosplayers and costumers discuss the different mediums used in creating their costumes. What mediums they use, when to use them, and which they avoid.Hosts: Matthew Penick, Charlie Rocket, Theresa Perlmutter

Famous First Words – Cameron
What makes a story opening compelling? Panelists will discuss the openings of select science fiction and fantasy stories or novels, in an attempt to help writers find out what works — and maybe what doesn’t. Audience members may bring in stories or novels they have recently read that they found particularly inviting; if time permits, the panelists and audience may discuss those works as well.Panelists: Gray Rinehart, Ian J. Malone, James Maxey, Betty Cross, Natania Barron

PEW PEW! Space Battles – Reynolds
Do you love a book or movie with a good dog fight? What makes makes a space battle awesome and what makes it boring? EVE Online players welcomePanelists: Jim McDonald, Deek Rhew, Christopher Moore

Reading: Gail Z. Martin – Crescent

Saturday, 12pm

Fan Group Club Fair – Smith
Members of our performance, gaming, and fan groups are hosting a drop-in meet and greet so YOU can get involved in the Triangle’s geeky scene!

Famous Last Words – Cameron
How do you feel when you finish a book or story? What makes a good ending and how do you write something memorable? Is it better to tie up loose ends or to leave more questions unaswered?Panelists: Gray Rinehart, Ian J. Malone, James Maxey, Natania Barron, Suzanne Adair

Arrival in Dothraki: Created Languages – Reynolds
Language is central to the story in the hit movie Arrival, based on Ted Chiang’s “Story of Your Life”. Let’s talk about created languages!Panelists: Richard Butner, Chris Ross, Raulie Raulerson, Betty Cross, Justin Lapoint

Reading: Gray Rinehart – Crescent

Saturday, 2pm

Dream Demons – Smith
Sleep disorders, lucid dreaming, and hallucinations upon waking and sleeping have been influencing human experience and story telling since recorded time, across cultural lines. Legends of the succubus, Shadow Men, and alien abductions still color our fiction; let’s explore this phenomenon’s impact and why it is so, so scaryPanelists: Madison Metricula (M), Richard Dansky, Michael Williams, Darin Kennedy

Guardian Corps Swordplay Demo – Cameron

Baen Traveling Roadshow – 2:30pm, Reynolds

Reading: Mur Lafferty – Crescent

Saturday, 3pm

Technology and Storytelling in Games – Smith
Advances in tech are pushing the boundaries of video games and their place in art and story telling. With VR on the horizon, what past developments have been used to the best effect and which are just glitzy gimmicks?Panelists: Richard Dansky, Dave Ellis, Jesse Galena, Jim McDonald, Justin Achilli

Ask a GM – Cameron
Playing and running table top RPGs: everything you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask because you might fail the rollPanelists: Michael Williams, Chris Holmquist, Raulie Raulerson, Justin Hoyland

Reading: Daniel José Older – Crescent

Saturday, 4pm

Live Action Slush – Smith
It’s back again! Audience members submit the beginning of a story and our panel of editors will let you know where they stopped reading and whyPanelists: Gail Z. Martin, Gray Rinehart, Mur Lafferty

Video Game Development with Game Engines – ReynoldsMost video games of today make use of game engines, which are software systems that come pre-built with various game mechanics, that makes games development easier and more fun. Come hear the panelists talk about their experience with game development and give a live demo of how to make a playable game using Unreal Engine 4.Hosts: Debadeep Sen, Scott Spencer, Trey Pinson

CosPlay Extravaganza!CosPlay Limbo and Fashion Show – Reynolds
Get your cosplay, period garb, or kigurumis on and join the 105th for a challenge of how low you can go! There will be candy, smiles, and consensual fun!Hosts: Aaron Busse, Mr. Freeze Pony

Reading: Richard Butner – Crescent

Saturday, 6pm

Whitewashed Casting – Smith
Casting white actors in roles originally written for people of color is nothing new, but recent controversies around casting in Dr. Strange, Iron Fist, Ghost in the Shell and more have raised concerns. Where’s the balance? What are some examples of successful and representative casting?Panelists: Charlie Rocket, Darin Kennedy, Tracy Walker, Erley Tilus

Saturday, 7pm

TREKnology – Smith
A detailed look at how a surprisingly large segment of our current everyday lives is directly related to concepts and ideas first proposed in Star Trek. From personal communication and social media to advances in transportation, scientific exploration, medical advances, and more, today’s technological landscape has been heavily influenced by the original Star Trek as well as its television and movie spin-offsPanelists: Chris Shrewsbury, Suzanne Adair, Jennifer Peltier-Karpusenko, Raulie Raulerson, Dave Ellis

Charity Auction – Cameron

Reading: James Maxey – Crescent

Saturday, 8pm

Punch Them in the Face! – Smith
What makes a good one-on-one fight scene in a book or movie? Do you want to see your hero completely dominate or do you want to see them struggle? Are there bonus points for punny one-liners?Panelists: Steven S. Long, Michael Williams, Christopher Moore, Jim McDonald, Nathan Cooley

Performance: Sith Clan – Reynolds

Reading: Rich Dansky – Crescent

Saturday, 9pm

“They’re Good Dogs, Brent” Animal Slideshow – Smith
Need a break from the hustle and bustle of the the convention? Drop by our two hour slideshow of cute animal pictures–better than an anime room!

Sunday, 10am

TV You Should Be Watching – Cameron
We are living in a nerd-TV golden age. Hear our panelists discuss their favorite entries in the 2016-2017 lineup and share yours!Panelists: Chris Shrewsbury, Dave Ellis, Darin Kennedy, Christopher Moore, John Lapoint

Sunday, 11am

Writing for Anthologies – Smith
Anthologies have long been a mainstay in publishing, especially for genre authors. How do you get in on the action?Panelists: Tera Fulbright, Gail Z. Martin, Samantha Bryant, Ada Milenkovic Brown

Gaming 201 – Cameron
So maybe you’ve run your first few sessions and want to know how to take it to the next level for your players, or you’re a player who wants to increase their skill points in having fun–this is for you!Panelists: Michael Williams, Way Stark, Sara Stormborn Robinson, Jesse Galena, Steven S. Long

The Racism of “Ancient Aliens” – Cameron
If ancient aliens exist, does this mean primordial humans of color were not responsible for designing or inventing anything?Panelists: John Lapoint, Evan Ransom, Janet S. Planets

Reading: Michael Williams – Crescent

Sunday, 1pm

IP Law and Fandom – Smith
It can be a tricky time to be a fan, especially if you’re inspired to create or enjoy works based on your favorite stories like fan films or fan fic. Where’s the line between “fair use” and copyright infringement, even when money isn’t changing hands?Panelists: Clayton Wick, Kate Koballa, Jim McDonald, Steven S. Long, Tony Daniel

Podcasts You Need to Hear – Cameron
Podcasts are hot, hot, hot! Join our panel to hear their favorite reccommendations and then share your own! All the responses will be compiled and published on the illogiCon web site for easy access and sharing!Panelists: Calvin Powers, Jennifer Peltier-Karpusenko, Christopher Moore, Ian J. Malone, Richard Butner, Jenni Menzi

What Should We Be Reading? – Reynolds
Panelists share relatively new or overlooked works they think we should be reading and why. After that, we’ll open up the floor to hear what the audience thinks! Notecards, pens, or smartphones encouraged to take notes!Panelists: Michael Williams, Samantha Bryant, Natania Barron, Daniel José Older, Mur Lafferty

Sunday, 2pm

Massive Effects – Smith
Storytelling in video games like Mass Effect and Walking DeadHosts: Donna Eason and Color of Fandom